NASAR was composed for Nicola Walker Smith in the summer of 1992. The text comprises twelve sentences taken from Cronica De Una Muerte Anunciada by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Passages from the first chapter, on events prior to the killing, are alternated with passages from the final chapter, on the death itself. The piece proceeds by juxtaposing musical blocks. These blocks are largely differentiated by tempo, rhythmic manipulation and melodic direction but are connected through their use of similar harmonies and modes.